UAE | Housing & Property

Residents in dark as to why Sharjah's power supply is failing

As summer looms, electricity to homes cut for several hours

By Mariam M. Al Serkal, Staff Reporter
Published: 00:00 May 7, 2010

Workers at a garment factory relax as Sharjah Industrial Area 17 goes without power

Image Credit: AHMED RAMZAN/Gulf News
Workers at a garment factory relax as Sharjah Industrial Area 17 goes without power. Last Ramadan, residents in Sharjah’s industrial and residential areas bore the brunt of a power outage for most of the month.

Sharjah: With summer approaching fast, the industrial areas in Sharjah have already been hit with power outages and residents are urging authorities to give them advance warning of the blackouts.

"I have a one-year-old and a three-year-old child, and the only consolidation they have is by sitting near the window to catch a breeze of air," said K. Sadiq, who lives in Industrial Area 3.

The power supply has been fluctuating for the past four days in Industrial Areas 1, 3 and 17, and residents are furious as they say they have been unable to obtain a response from the Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa).

When Gulf News phoned Sewa we were told there was a technical fault and the electricity supply was expected to be restored by Saturday.

Last Ramadan, residents in Sharjah's industrial and residential areas bore the brunt of a power outage for most of the month.

The power outage disrupted water supplies, leaving many to break their fast by candlelight and perform their ablution in nearby mosques.

"I understand that there might be a shortage of electricity, but the families living in industrial areas are also human and we deserve running water just as much as families who are living in residential areas," Sadiq said.

Families said while their homes had power outages, the street lights, the electricity was still on in nearby parking lots and construction sites.

"We are all legitimate customers of Sewa hence the authorities should provide us with a proper answer as to why this is happening again," Sadiq said.

"At home, there are small children and elderly parents who have to suffer without any air-conditioning during the day and at night."

Residents also expressed their concern about the prospect of coping with the summer heat without any electricity, and noted that they may have to suffer fro the intense heat during midday.

The power in Industrial Area 1 went out on Tuesday night for seven hours, then on Wednesday from 3pm to 6pm and then again from 8pm to 2.30am.

Manjusha Bhaskar said: "What troubles me is that the rest of the city is not even aware that are power cuts and only the industrial area suffers".

"Because we opt to pay rents which fit into our budgets [we should not be discriminated against]," she said.

"The power has been fluctuating for three days now. When we did not have any electricity during Ramadan my husband and I were considering to move.But once the problem was resolved we decided to stay in the same apartment."

Resident M Harris said the power outage was intolerable because she could not cook her husband a meal when he arrived back from work, and the children couldn't cope.

In a blackout

Residents experiencing a power outage in their area can call the hotline number 991, or the customer service centre at 06 5672611/ 06 5255555

Comments (5)

Added 16:46 May 7, 2010

This is amazing and sad too because last year when power cuts happened 50% SEWA bills were increased by the authorities to cope-up with it but still this year its like that only....Lets see whats next......

Anonymous, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Added 14:43 May 7, 2010

This is not the first time happening in this area's. We have seen last year power cuts for almost 15-20Days regularly. We do not understand why SEWA cannot give us a notice in advance so that we can look for alternative options. If it indeed impossible to sleep at nights without AC.When called personally at SEWA , they were very rude in answering our queries.

Anonymous, Sharjah, Afghanistan

Added 14:15 May 7, 2010

The situation is terrible. Everyone is suffering in the industrial areas - residents and businesses alike, and it has gone unreported until now. The people picking up the SEWA helpline are confirming that it is definitely load shedding. A few days ago I read that Sharjah was planning to hold a Light Festival next year and are putting the plans into place now. How about providing enough power to give residents light first.

Anonymous, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Added 12:41 May 7, 2010

Sharjah Power cut is unfortunate. It comes without notice, I don't think it happens anywhere in the world today, at least an intimation is expected. I have seen Supermarkets and Groceries are throwing away rotton foodstuff on a regular basis in Sharjah Indi area 17. Companies are suffering, since the power cut is unexpectedly happening and there is absolutely no intimation by the authorities, companies are unable to take decision whether to get generators or not. Taking advantage of the situation, vendors of gen sets are asking for unrealistic prices. Companies in Ind area 17 and other ind areas who suffering from power cut are losing business and huge revenue. i am surprised that sharjah govt is keeping close on such losses. I am sure it does not happen in 3rd world countries today. If we call SEWA, we do not get proper reply. This is extrmely unfortunate.

Partha Sarathi Roy, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Added 12:39 May 7, 2010

Even industrial area 13 where residendial buildings are there had been facing severe power cuts and that too for very long duration which also hampered water supply .

Anonymous, sharjah, Afghanistan